"My child… I've accepted you as my son… and a mother's gift, given with love, is never refused."
As Mrs. Kathwani gently placed the papers into Om's hands and lovingly touched his cheek, something inside him softened.
For a moment…
He felt it.
That warmth… that care…
A feeling he hadn't felt in a long time.
And now, he knew—no matter what he said or did, the Kathwani family wasn't going to back down from their decision.
Taking a soft breath, Om looked at everyone, folded his hands slightly, and with a gentle smile said,
"Alright, Aunt… I accept it."
The moment he agreed, Sharda Aunt lit up with happiness and clapped her hands lightly.
"Then let's eat!"
And instantly, everyone cheered together,
"Let's eat!"
The house filled with laughter again.
Dinner turned into a lively, joyful gathering. Everyone ate together, talked, laughed… like a real family.
Hours passed.
Late into the night, when everyone was still busy chatting downstairs…
Om quietly slipped away.
He walked up to the terrace.
The sky was clear.
Filled with countless stars.
Standing there, looking up at the endless sky…
Tears slowly formed in his eyes.
But strangely—
There was a smile on his face.
Ever since childhood, whenever he felt too happy… or too broken… he would come up to the terrace and talk to the stars.
To his parents.
He always believed…
Someone up there was listening.
Looking at the sky, his voice softened,
"Mom… Dad… today, I'm really happy."
He let out a small breath.
"In today's world, it's rare to even find one true friend… but I have so many people standing by my side."
His eyes shimmered.
"You know how much this family means to me… how much these people who care about me matter."
His voice trembled slightly.
"After you left… I was alone. I cried alone… ate alone… talked to myself… even laughed alone."
A tear slipped down.
"But now… I'm not alone anymore. No one lets me stay alone… or cry alone."
He paused.
And then…
His voice broke.
"But I still miss you… you…"
Before he could continue, tears started falling uncontrollably.
"You left me alone at such a young age… you left me behind…"
He clenched his fists slightly, trying to hold himself together.
"But now… I have people who love me. A beautiful family… an aunt who cares for me like a mother… an uncle who stands like a friend… sisters who can change even my worst moods… and friends who would give their lives for me."
He smiled faintly through the tears.
"I won't say I don't need you anymore… because I always will."
A deep breath.
"But thank you… for taking away my loneliness… for making my life better."
He wiped his tears.
And then suddenly—
His expression changed.
He turned slightly, his voice now calm… but serious.
"I know all of you were listening… you can come out now."
The moment he said that—
From the terrace door, Anshika slowly stepped out.
Her eyes were filled with tears.
There was emotion… and also a little shock—because she had been caught.
She walked toward him with slow steps, stopping just in front of him. Looking at his red, teary eyes, she spoke softly,
"You consider us your own… you stand by us in every problem… you protect us like a wall… but still, you never talk about your own pain?"
Her voice carried a mix of anger and concern.
"Why is it always you? Why do you take responsibility for helping everyone?"
Om smiled faintly at her words.
"If I tell you about my pain… maybe you'll start seeing me dying in your dreams every night."
He chuckled lightly.
"Who knows… every night, a different way."
Hearing him mention dreams, Anshika's expression softened.
Seeing her calm down, Om added gently,
"I'm sorry… without knowing what you went through in the past… I said a lot of things to you. I'm really sorry."
As he apologized, his cheeks turned slightly red.
Right now—
With moist eyes… soft expression… and that shy redness on his face—
Om looked… different.
Anshika couldn't help it.
Inside her mind, her thoughts raced,
"Oh God… this boy… don't say sorry… for you, I could bring down the stars… how can someone look this adorable even while crying… like he just stepped out of heaven… seriously, how can anyone be this attractive…"
Her thoughts were so loud—
That Om reacted instantly, looking at her in confusion,
"What?"
Anshika froze.
"W-what? N-nothing! I was just saying… you don't need to say sorry. Maybe I wasn't the only reason for what happened in your past… but I was still a part of it… so maybe this is my punishment."
Om immediately shook his head.
"This isn't a punishment. And even if it is… you're giving it to yourself."
He paused mid-sentence.
"…but—"
Anshika frowned slightly.
"But what, Om?"
Seeing her look at him like that, Om gathered a bit of courage and said,
"Look… I know I shouldn't interfere with your dreams… but if you want… if you really want to get rid of those bad dreams… I can help you."
Anshika's heart skipped for a moment.
She was happy.
Really happy.
But of course—
She wasn't going to show it that easily.
Crossing her arms slightly, she said with a teasing attitude,
"Oh really? You will fix me? How? By taunting me like always? I'd rather keep having those bad dreams."
Om quickly shook his head,
"No, no… as a good friend… and from now on, a true friend."
He smirked slightly.
"But yeah… just don't start acting like that rich Anshika again—arrogant, dramatic, and obsessed with your own beauty."
Anshika narrowed her eyes, pretending to be annoyed.
"Oh wow… was I really that bad in your eyes back in college?"
Om looked at her… softly.
"No. Not in my eyes…"
A small pause.
"In everyone else's."
Then he added with a teasing smile,
"But honestly… it suits you."
Anshika couldn't help but smile back.
"Really? Then tell me… how did I look in your eyes?"
At her question…
Om stepped closer.
Very close.
So close it almost felt like he was about to kiss her.
Anshika's breath hitched.
Her face turned red instantly… a mix of shock and shy anticipation flooding her expression.
The night grew quieter.
The stars above seemed to shine brighter.
And for a moment—
Everything else… just faded away.